Dissection of left ear from superior aspect

Relation of ear to temporomandibular joint, anterosuperior view

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Image #61-4

Dissection of left ear from superior aspect

Relation of ear to temporomandibular joint, anterosuperior view

The temporal bone has been cut away to expose the external auditory meatus (16), with its periosteal lining intact, and the articular cartilage which lines the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone (19).

1. Subarcuate fossa (occupied by vein)
2. Upper pointer: Superior semicircular canal Lower pointer: Utricle
3. Vestibulocochlear nerve (cochlear part)
4. Upper pointer: Facial nerve (VII) (within facial canal) Lower pointer: Geniculate ganglion
5. Cochlea
6. Left pointer: Tendon of tensor tympani muscle Right pointer: Capitulum of malleus
7. Anterior malleolar fold (covering anterior process malleus)
8. Greater superficial petrosal nerve
9. Lessor superficial petrosal nerve
10. Middle meningeal artery
11. Cut bone of floor of skull (greater wing of sphenoid bone)
12. Lateral semicircular canal
13. Tympanic antrum
14. Posterior ligament of incus
15. Flaccid part of tympanic membrane
16. External acoustic meatus (periosteal lining intact)
17. Upper pointer: Scutum of temporal bone (squamous part) which fills notch (of Rivinus) between superior ends of tympanic annulus Lower pointer: Lateral margin of tympanic cavity
18. Cut edge of calvaria
19. Articular cartilage lining mandibular fossa